Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. This is announcement will close November 17, 2025. See further details under How to Apply.

The Medical Instrument Technician (Hemodialysis) is a member of the Nursing Team and functions as a technician in the Hemodialysis Unit. The Hemodialysis Technician possess knowledge and understanding of all types of required hemodialysis treatments, equipment, systems, and minor troubleshooting techniques in order to operate and monitor dialysis delivery systems for chronic and acute (non-ICU) patients and performs and monitors machine and water system maintenance. Patient care duties include access cannulation, initiation of and discontinuation of dialysis, monitoring of vital signs and dialysate delivery system, including all operations of pumps and alarms, and assisting patients in meeting their personal hygiene needs and activities of daily living.

The Medical Instrument Technician(Hemodialysis) duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Provides safe patient care to a group of patients with the diagnosis of ESRD under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse.
• Performs more complex treatments and procedures according to Medical Center guidelines.
• Operates and monitors dialysis system for chronic and acutely ill, and stable non-ICU patients.
• Operates and maintains dialysis delivery systems, equipment and water systems to ensure adequate functioning and patient safety during treatments, including adjusting the dialysis bath concentration of potassium and sodium per physicians' orders.
• Ensures that dialysis equipment is in proper working order and that technical staff has performed proper maintenance after each patient in accordance with established procedures/quality control measures prior to the next patients' treatment.
• Provides feedback to staff members in the setting up, administering and cleaning/sterilization of equipment/water system following guidelines and quality assurance/control procedures.
• Takes the lead in the maintenance, troubleshooting, and disinfection of equipment malfunctioning, coordinating with manufacturers via telephone in emergencies; assists and oversees technicians in making equipment adjustments.
• Maintains equipment status log and contacts biomedical technician for major repairs and services. Responsible for maintenance of all water system and equipment quality control logs. Performs daily water testing and monthly cultures per protocol.
• Assists biomedical support staff in maintaining equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations and regulatory standards. Troubleshoots minor problems in water purification system. Notifies Nurse Manager immediately when equipment/systems do not meet identified requirements.
• Is knowledgeable of the American Association of Medical Instruments (AAMI) standards and unit policies as they relate to water treatment, cell counts and disinfection.
• Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the unit.
• Completes assignments in a timely manner; displays sensitivity to the age-related needs of all patients.
• Performs cannulation on patients with established Arterial-Venous (AV) fistulas and grafts, according to Dialysis Unit policy and procedure for initiation of the hemodialysis treatment.
• Enters computer data to support daily treatments.
• Responsible for maintenance of all water system and equipment quality control logs.
• Advises nurse manager immediately when equipment/systems do not meet identified needs.
• Monitors and records all water level parameters daily, some twice daily assuring appropriate and acceptable levels of chlorine/chloramines are achieved. Notifies the Nurse Manager or his/her designee when levels are inappropriate.
• Performs appropriate disinfection of the central bicarbonate system daily, in addition to utilizing ozone disinfection weekly.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday including rotating Weekends - 5:30 am to 4pm; 6:30 am to 5:00 pm; 7:30 am to 6:00pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Telework: Not eligible for telework
Functional Statement #:30996F
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Additional Benefits
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the requirements by the closing date of this announcement November 17, 2025.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Must be US Citizen. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

• English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, per VA Handbook 5005, Qualification Standards.

• Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels.

• Licensure or Certification - Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  • Desired certifications include:
  • Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications
  • Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS).
  • If obtained, documents must be submitted with application

GRADE REQUIREMENTS:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Specialized Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, GS-07, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and applicant must fully meet the KSAs listed below.

This required experience includes:
Experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to perform dialysis on acutely ill patients including those within an intensive care setting. Assignments involve performing both peritoneal and hemodialysis procedures. The dialysis technician may participate in percutaneous renal biopsies, watching the patient during the procedure and properly processing the specimen. Assists the physician in peritoneal catheter insertions and observes the patient for vital signs and provides post operative care. Provides instruction and monitors patients for home dialysis. Performs training of physicians, nurses, and technicians on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis techniques.

Additionally, the knowledge, skills, and abilities at the next lower grade level to meet (GS-7) are:

• Knowledge of the hemodialysis process and equipment needed for home/self care including knowledge of common machine problems and repairs to such equipment.
• Knowledge of the equipment and procedures for peritoneal dialysis.
• Ability to assist the physician with percutaneous renal biopsies and peritoneal catheter insertion.
• Ability to provide instruction to dialysis patients in home/self care and in the maintenance of the equipment.
• Ability to provide instruction for physicians, nurses, and other personnel in dialysis procedures, equipment operation and maintenance, etc

While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training; otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim.

Preferred Certification - must submit documentation:

• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications
• ARRT certification

Preferred Experience:
Five years of continuous Hemodialysis Experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 PART II APPENDIX G27 June 07, 2012

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements:
This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by Medical instrument Technician such as direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse, and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling, pushing and pulling equipment up to 50 lbs. Examples may include but are not limited to: Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols.
The functional requirements for the position may include:
1. Lifting to 50 pounds for 8-10 hours, intermittently
2. Moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8-10 hours, intermittently
3. Lifting over 50 pounds with assistive device in accordance with Safe Patient Handling

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.
4. All other applicants.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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